The United States Christian Commission

The United States Christian Commission was founded during the U. S. Civil War.

My husband and I are Civil War aficionados. Me admittedly reluctantly. I long for the day that we will study war no more.

Mostly I support my husband in his combined hobby of woodworking and researching the war. We have a home based business that supports the hobby (almost).

It is just something that we have been able to build and share together. I do the web work, the graphic design and such, and he does the building.

Doing research I discovered the Christian Commission. It seemed to just fit perfectly with all else that I do, pandemic preparedness.

Heroes of Faith during the Civil War

From Wikipedia:

The United States Christian Commission was an important agency of the Union during the American Civil War. It was religious in nature but provided as well numerous social services and recreation to the soldiers of the U.S. Army. It provided Protestant chaplains, and social workers, and collaborated with the Sanitary Commission in providing medical services.
The Christian Commission was created in response to the disastrous First Battle of Bull Run. On November 14, 1861, the National Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association called a convention which met in New York City. The work of the United States Christian Commission was outlined and the organization completed next day. Two of the founding members were Vincent Colyer, who was inspired to start the organization after seeing the aftermath of the battle, and George Stuart, a well-to-do business man.
The YMCA and the protestant ministers formed the USCC. The civilians on the battlefield did not have weapons but just their care & love for the Christ. The original plan of the USCC was to help the priests of the armed services in their daily work, as the chaplancy program was in its infancy, with only some thirty members.
One famous U.S.C.C. delegate was John Chamberlain, who served on Little Round Top along with his brothers, Tom and Joshua Chamberlain. Louisa May Alcott also worked with the Commission, as did Georgia McClellan, the sister of Jenny Wade.

I have participated in a few living history events. And a couple of reenactments. I do have an appreciation for the hobby and a deeper appreciation for remembering lessons learned from history.

Campus Crusades for Christ has a Military Ministry. During a pandemic a civilian social service ministry would be a real blessing to many.

So I am praying mightily about this. I have been for quite some time now.